Dr. Luna
Chapter 64

"Lilly... you won't like this but hear me out. The timing for you getting lightheaded seems to coincide with Rosa. Now, now, now, stop giving me that look and hear me out. I think until we know what is going on, you keep your distance from her for now." Tristan watched her eyes furrow down angrily.

"Lilly. I agree with him. It's not forever. Just until we get to Elysium and figure out what is going on." Tyler smoothed the hair on her back gently. He could hear how much she hated this idea. He didn't care. Whatever it takes to keep her safe. He wouldn't risk it. Not until he knew what was happening. "How... how do we do that without causing a misunderstanding or hurt feelings?" Lilly pouted and saw a small twitch in Tristan's eyes.

"I'm sorry Lilly... you really won't like this next part." Tristan took in a breath of air and faced her angry orbs. "I'm releasing my barrier to the next strength. You know I have one that keeps the lower tiered fairies away... well I also have a stronger level..." "No. No. No. You can't. What about Cedric?" Lilly looked up to Tyler and then frantically back to Tristan.

"I'm sorry. Please don't be angry. I won't make the girth very wide. They can still follow at the back of the line. Cedric will understand, he will know that I am just trying to protect you. And it is only temporary, Lilly. You only have to put up with it for a couple days at the most. Maybe only one day. It just depends on the time we make." Tristan watched her shoulders shrug down. She relented. She knew she had no choice but to relent anyways.

"It isn't a real barrier... it is almost like a deterrent. It will make them feel too uncomfortable to be within a certain distance of me. And I plan to stay right next to you, which keeps them from you."

Cedric watched as they came back into view. The closer they got, the more uncomfortable he was feeling.

"Ugh, what is this, I feel bad. My head is pounding." Rosa touched her head and Kade pulled her into him, looking at her with worry.

"Come on Rosa. We need to back up. This is a guardian's boundary." Cedric grabbed his things and walked to the far end of the encampment. Rosa and Kade followed behind him. "There that's better."

"I don't understand. Why would he do that, knowing it affects us?" Rosa said with a small quiver in her lips.

Cedric smiled at her. "Don't take it personal Rosa. It affects me, too. This just means that Tristan is worried. For him to go to this level... means something is wrong." Cedric looked in the direction towards Lilly and frowned. He wanted to protect her. "I hope Lilly is okay." Rosa looked to see Lilly looking at the two of them with sad eyes. She could see that this wasn't what she wanted.

Cedric... I'm sorry. Tristan was adamant about it. I'm okay so don't be worried. Tyler will be over to explain what is going on. At least we can still talk... unlike with your barrier. Lilly's sweet voice echoed into his head. He turned and looked at Rosa. "Lilly said she is sorry. Tristan is protecting her the only way he knows how to right now. I don't know what is going on." He caught Tyler walking over towards him. "I think we are about to replace out though."

Tyler walked up to the three towards the back of the encampment. He wasn't sure what to think of Rosa now. She was someone important to Kade, he knew that. For now, they would keep Tristan's concerns private, unless they had proof of something. He stopped just in front of them and they looked at him curiously.

"It seems that something is wrong with Lilly. We don't know what... yet. We will replace out. Something or someone is draining her energy. For now, out of an abundance of caution, Tristan has increased the level of his boundary to keep fairies away. It is one less group we have to worry about until we reach Elysium. I hope you two bare no hard feelings. Our concern is for Lilly. I don't know why... but she feels better when I am with her. I don't know if I am able to block the energy from leaving her or what... we just don't know. I know the boundary is intense for you two. You are welcome to continue to follow us at a bearable distance if you wish." Tyler sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

Kade could see the worry flashing in his eyes. Lilly was under attack and they couldn't fight off the enemy. He knew he was feeling helpless. He wanted to reassure him. Lilly was important to him too. She was his Luna. "Do what you have to do to protect her. Don't worry about us Tyler. We will continue to follow you. If anything happens, we will be there to defend you guys."

"I could try putting a barrier around her. If something is syphoning from her I should be able to prevent it." Cedric's eyes were shining with determination.

"Tristan and I talked about it. The problem is, you can't hold the barrier on her long enough. It is best just to get her to Elysium as quick as possible. I hope there are answers there." Tyler hated not knowing what was happening. He just wanted her safe. He didn't care what he had to do. He would do it. He nodded to Kade and Cedric, then gave a small smile to Rosa before turning back to go to Lilly.

Tyler stayed at Lilly's side... well more then just at her side. He had a protective hand on her at all times. At night she slept in his arms and Tristan laid down next to them. Both men were in protective over drive. Drake was also concerned. He did not know what could be happening to her. He agreed with Tristan that maybe it was one of Tyler's powers that was protecting her. Drake wanted to try something when they embarked early the next morning. He wanted her to walk arm in arm with Tristan and see if she still got dizzy. He was curious if her guardian could also shield her from whatever was going on.

That's what they did. That morning Tyler was walking behind Lilly with a bit of a sour pout. He was watching Tristan gently holding onto her and guiding her along the trail. Drake was walking along Tyler's side. They were all waiting and watching to see what would happen.

Lilly started to feel a bit tired as they approached the two-hour mark. The further she progressed on, the more fatigued she became. She finally stopped walking and looked up to Tristan. "You aren't working." She gave him a sad smile and Tyler was by her side in a flash.

"I need to get my fix in anyways. Jax was being awful possessive back there." Tyler pulled her into his arms and leaned in. He went straight for her lips. Kissing her tenderly but passionately.

The surge Lilly felt was instant. She felt stronger. Him being around her helped. When he was intimate with her, she actually got an energy boost from it. Instant rejuvenation and then some.

"Not that I like this happening to you... but what you were thinking. Those are terms I can live by, you know. Having to be intimate with you almost hourly." Tyler kissed her forehead and looked at Tristan. "She feels better already. She feels better than better right now." He gave her a wink and she rolled her eyes at him. "She feels stronger and instantly better when I kiss her. Maybe I have a super kisser ability."

"Probably not pup. Maybe it just allows your magic to connect better to her." Tristan rolled his eyes. At least Tyler was able to help her... however it was that he was.

"You feel good enough to keep moving?" Drake asked cautiously.

"I feel completely fine now. Even a bit more energized." Lilly watched him nod his head.

"Well then I think it is best that we keep moving. We will have to camp one more time before we make it to Elysium." Drake motioned for the centaurs in the front to lead on.

They finally came to a clearing, after walking all day. The dark green grass swayed in the breeze as the sun reflected off the top. You could hear the voices of everyone quietly talking amongst themselves as they walked through the grassy grove. In the distance, Lilly noticed a lake that was shimmering in the golden light.

"We will set up camp here." Drake said, and everyone stopped. There were the sounds of laughing and stretching, as the men went about their tasks.

Lilly looked out beyond the lake. In the vast distance, there was towering mountain. Even though it was far away, you could see how steep it was. She stared at it. Feeling drawn to it.

"Tristan... what is over there." Lilly watched his eyes furrow and he frowned.

"That's the dragon kingdom of the west. Their kingdom resides at the tippy top. It is similar to Elysium in that demons can not enter their realm. You'll have to visit there someday, unfortunately. Then, you'll see. See my distaste for the conceited creatures." Lilly giggled. He really did not like dragons. Honestly, to be fair, there wasn't much Tristan liked. Everything was a pain. He complained about the dragon's bad tempers, which is the pot calling the kettle black. Other fairies were pains for him as well. Seemed like he only liked her and Tyler. And liking Tyler is only recent. She could never deny his devotion to her. Something she would never be able to repay him for or thank him enough. Even if it was his job, his feelings were genuine.

"Let's go take a closer look at the lake." Tyler suggested as he tugged Lilly along in his arms. He watched her glance behind her. She was checking on Cedric and Rosa. She was always caring about others.

"I'll be right there guys. I need to take care of natures calling." Tristan gave them a crooked smile before heading to replace a more secluded area.

Lilly and Tyler were standing by the lake hand in hand, while she leaned into his side. It was very peaceful. The wind created a rippling effect over the water that shimmered in the light. A loud splash was heard and the water in front of them rose up. A horse of pitch darkness walked onto the shore near them. Water was dripping from its mane and tail. It's eyes were fixated on Lilly and Tyler. Then it began to shift, slowly taking on the form of a man that already had shorts on.

"Now isn't this a sight? The future queen and king of the fairies visiting my doorsteps. What an honor. My name is Roan."

Lilly looked at the man with dark beaded eyes and rich chocolate hair. Her eyes lit up. "A Kelpie!"

"A Kelpie?" Tyler wasn't sure what to think of the thing in front of him. Man...horse...or what.

The man chuckled. "I take it this is the first time you have met my kind?"

"A Kelpie is another type of fairy. They are a high-class fairy. I think they are considered a dark court fairy." Lilly looked at the top of her eyelids trying to remember.

"Very good Princess." Roan went to say something else when an angry roar was heard. Tristan was charging their way. Roan just smirked and rolled his eyes. "Overprotective guardian huh? Ouch, you have your guard up high, don't you?" Tristan stood at Lilly's side and glared at the Kelpie. What was confusing him though, is why he wasn't running for cover in his presence.

Roan noticed his perplexed look. "Oh, I can feel your barrier. You forget that I am an upper tier fairy though. I can endure something like this. Relax. I am not going to hurt them. They are my kin. Honestly... I think the whole thing is a bit rude. A bear has more rights to be near the royal family than I do? Me? Roan? A dark Kelpie, member of the high court? Just absurd!"

Tristan scoffed. "And why do they call you a dark fairy? It isn't because of all the good you do. Like I can trust them with a sadistic murderer."

"I don't kill my own kind." Roan sneered back to him. "But do I get a sense of pleasure from dragging people underwater and drowning them... eh, guilty. It is actually quite funny watching them struggling for air. Ah, good times."

"Isn't he an absolute pleasure." Tristan growled and eyed the man.

"Okay, Tristan. Settle down. Roan was just coming to say hi. Your horse is absolutely stunning. Really." Lilly tried to steer the conversation into a positive light.

"Anytime you want a ride I'll take you." Roan blushed slightly looking at Lilly. This time Tyler was the one to growl. Roan put his hands up and chuckled. "Easy there. I can see that you are being well protected princess. Well, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'll be seeing you around. Maybe even in Elysium, if that's where you are headed. We can teleport anywhere there is water. It is such a nice way to travel." Roan turned back into his horse and leaped into the water, disappearing completely, the rippling water the only evidence that was where he had jumped.

"That was my first time meeting a Kelpie." Lilly smiled up at Tristan who snorted.

"I'd be happy if it's the last one too." Tristan grumbled as the walked back towards camp.

Lilly giggled and looked at Tyler. The two were smiling at their grumpy, overprotective, friend.

Tyler wrapped Lilly into his arms as the stars began to pepper the sky. Tomorrow they would finally make it to Elysium. Hopefully, they will know what is happening with Lilly and can help. Even if they couldn't help, just point him in the right direction. He felt her breathing become rhythmic as she fell asleep. A small smile rested on his lips, as he leaned forward and kissed her head. Tomorrow... they would get answers.